With a wealth of championship experience with the Lakers and Nuggets, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with the Orlando Magic in the 2024 offseason. Caldwell-Pope was expected to provide shooting and experience to a young Magic team looking to become a contender in the East. Unfortunately, his time in Orlando was largely inconsistent, and Orlando lost in the first round.
Early in the offseason, the Grizzlies sent a shockwave through the league, trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. As part of a large haul for the Grizzlies, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the main NBA piece of the trade to end up in Memphis. Despite coming off an inconsistent season, it makes sense as to why the Grizzlies wanted him included in the deal.
At first, it was unclear whether Caldwell-Pope would be traded again or if he would start the season in Memphis. However, the current plan is for Caldwell-Pope to be a key leader and 3-and-D player on the team. With a Grizzlies team looking to advance further in the playoffs, Caldwell-Pope's championship experience and two-way value make him a logical fit in Memphis.
Caldwell-Pope had a dip in shooting efficiency last year
Known for his prolific three-point shooting, Caldwell-Pope shot just 34.2% from three last season, his worst percentage since the 2018-19 season. However, it is interesting to note that Caldwell-Pope shot better from three after the All-Star break, including an impressive 45.1% from behind the arc in March. Injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner likely contributed to Caldwell-Pope's initial dip in efficiency due to the absence of their playmaking and the defensive attention they draw as scorers.
Caldwell-Pope should not be expected to be one of the Grizzlies' leading scoring options this season; however, the easiest way for Caldwell-Pope to bounce back is to return to being a consistent three-point shooter. Despite losing some of Desmond Bane's playmaking ability in the trade, Ja Morant is still one of the best playmakers in the NBA. Players such as Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. also have plenty of playmaking value and should be able to get Caldwell-Pope plenty of open looks.
Despite Caldwell-Pope's offensive dip, he remained an impactful defender. Last season, Caldwell-Pope created 2.2 steals per 100 possessions (80th percentile) and 0.8 blocks per 100 possessions (72nd percentile). Overall, Caldwell-Pope recorded a 1.7 DARKO defensive DPM, which was the 94th percentile. For a Grizzlies team looking for more quality perimeter defenders, Caldwell-Pope should be a significant boost.
Currently expected to slot into the starting five, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should form a formidable wing duo defensively with Jaylen Wells. Once the Grizzlies reach full strength, the starting five should see significant improvement on the defensive end from last year. Ultimately, a key piece of the Grizzlies' offensive ceiling depends on Caldwell-Pope's ability to hit perimeter shots consistently.
With growing competition in the Western Conference and a difficult injury situation to begin the season, the Grizzlies will need a lot to go right early. It will be essential for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to get off to a faster start offensively than last season. Caldwell-Pope should continue to provide defensive value, but his offensive performance will be a key difference maker this season.